Over the years I have read with interest the various posts regarding Dupuytrens and Ledderhose. I have both. I have gone to Dr. Denkeler in SF and he has in the past used the neddle in my thumb and my pinkie of my right hand. He has a great techinque and for a short period of time released both fingers. Unfortunately the cords came back on the side of my hand right below the pinkie, contracted the little finger completely to the palm and I developed large nodules between the webbing of my thumb and fore finger along with a 75% contraction of the thumb. Long story short, decided to have the surgery in mid-December. Over 75 stitches, pretty much filleted (sp) the hand open. The only thing that has shorten my rehab time is finding the right thereapist to treat both the scare tissue and the left over small nodules that have either come back quickly or just did not want to go away with surgery. This therapist is using a wand (like a tins machine) that sends electrical jolts to the scar tissue and over the small nodules. It feels like a "cattle prod" and it does break up scar tissue. Next he treats the hand with a laser light (red light) running over the scar and the nodules. Lastly he has a hyperbaric (sp) chamber which you lie down in and inundates you with ogygen.

After 26 days post surgery played 18 holes of golf with the hand wrapped in an ace bandage. In visiting with the surgeon who performed the operation he does not really understand the physiology of this disaese. He does understand operating and does not put much faith in a faster recovery based on therapy. I am posting this to find out if anyone else has used any of the above to achieve relief from this terrible disease?? Considering radiation in OKLA (I live in Dallas) for both feet and my left hand. I am worried that the nodules I have in feet are so large that I might not be a candidate.


Cheers to all....

HI JOG. Australia Calling- In 07 after a repeat hand surgery I experienced similar growing of numerous nodules adjacent to the surgery and also contracture started in the index finger of the other hand. This development was the trigger which led me to find the Dupuytren Society then Radiotherapy. Have a look at this link of the Dupuytren award in 2010 where the Prof. indicates what happens after surgery-it will lead to recontracture. http://www.techcast.com/events/dgh-kongress/do03/ Finally use some vitamin E cream on the scar tissue. You can do all the exercise yourself like making a clenched fist and stretching. In my case the first 4 weeks were the most important to get the most mobility.Regards.

Edited 01/20/11 07:03

JOG,
I had radiation in Oklahoma, I also live in Dallas, and was very disappointed with cost, experience, and my Dupuytrens was worse than before. I still believe that radiation works, but I am just telling you my experience. I personally would not go to Oklahoma if I had it to do over.


Paula

I had nodules in my arches that were bothersome at one time. It was when I was putting more than normal stress on the arches. Since that time the nodules have gone down in size and I never think about them. For me walking barefoot was the worst thing that bothered me.

Hi,

I also live in the Dallas area and did call around to find someone who would do radiation therapy on my foot. after my surgeries in September/Oct. (UTSW and other places). I did find one radiation oncologist who was willing to do radiation for my plantar fibromatosis,. My surgeon set this up for me. When I met with him, he knew virtually nothing about Ledderhose so I decided that he was not the guy for me. He said he had treated other benign tumors but never in the foot. He wanted to treat over a 6 week period/5 days week low dose.

I called OK and had a completely different experience. They were helpful, knew about the disease and I am heading up there in a few weeks for treatment. RT is not successful for everyone. I'm sorry it wasn't for Paula. Here is some info I received from OK via e-mail,
(It is a follow up email response to one of my questions from the doctor in OK regarding RT after surgery. I asked if they radiate only the nodule or the entire arch.. ) here is his response:

The entire sole/arch is radiated, we do not focus on the nodule only. That is why the other surgical site will be in the field and must heal first prior to treatment. I don't recall us treating anyone here who had had prior surgery, but it has been documented in the literature and the outcomes are the same. 70% get disease stabilization, 25% get nodule regression with time, and 20% still progress despite radiation. The disadvantage of prior surgery is the delay to radiation time.

Anyway, I wish you the best. I will post in a few weeks after my experience in OK as well. I'm sure you saw Drumhead's posts re: his experience. Very helpful.